Hope for residents of Mumbai's Campa Cola building lies with CM Chavan

In a bid to get their message across, the residents have launched a documentary with the quote of Rahul Gandhi stating the importance of 'Roti, Kapda aur Makan'.

The documentary highlights the ordeal the resident have to go through. Meanwhile, MP Miling Deora and MLA Sachin Ahir, social activist Nana Chudasama of ‘I Love Bombay’ campaign fame have extended their support to the residents. The residents to vent out their anger are also using various social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Sympathizing with the relentless struggle of the residents, Deora said, “I am of the firm belief that this is a just and humanitarian cause and I am sure that the Chief Minister will hear them out.”

Residents of Campa Cola Compound protest the demolition of their homes. File pic

A devastated resident of Campa Cola society at Worli said, “In this democratic country even a murderer has the right to appeal for a mercy plea then why not us.” After the Supreme Court’s verdict which called for the demolition on November 2 the resident are doing all they can to get them heard by the CM.

Mohammad Iliyas a resident of mid town apartment said, “I had bought this house two decades ago. Then the property rate was very less. Why were the authorities collecting property taxes even when they knew that the building is illegal? My family has left me as they could no longer live with this stress.”

The residents are now eagerly waiting to meet the CM and get them heard. Another resident of the society said, “the government is rehabilitating the slum dwellers who have encroached the government land, then what have we done wrong. We are made to pay for the builder’s mistake.”

The Campa Cola saga The Supreme Court had ordered demolition of the illegal floors on February 27 and said the residents could not approach a government or a political body for regularization of the structures.

The Supreme Court however, had given a stay for the demolition on May 2 and had given the residents five months to vacate. The Bombay High Court on September 26 dismissed a writ petition by the residents of Campa Cola compound seeking regularisation of 35 illegal floors.

However, after pleading the Supreme Court for allowing them to go to BMC for retaining the area which they could, the Court has denied all the pleads and has extended the demolition till November 11.